Using Technology to Achieve a Total Worker Health (TWH) Approach

• Kim Moull

• Last Updated: August 13, 2024
• Navigating the Path to Better Employee Wellbeing
• Unlocking the Value of a Total Worker Health Approach

Protecting employee health, safety, and wellbeing is a top priority for most organizations. Unfortunately, the factors leading to injuries and illnesses are often interconnected and complex. In light of this, employers are increasingly recognizing the value that a Total Worker Health (TWH) approach can bring to the success of their EHS strategies.

In a recent webinar presented by Verdantix in partnership with Cority, EHS Analyst Rain Chiang explored the latest trends in adopting a Total Worker Health (TWH) approach, with a special focus on leveraging technology to streamline and enhance these initiatives.

Key components of the webinar are summarized below and include:

• The definition and history of Total Worker Health
• Benefits of a Total Worker Health Approach
• Drivers for Total Worker Health Adoption
• Innovative solutions for Total Worker Health
• Utilizing Occupational Health Software in Total Worker Health

Navigating the Path to Better Employee Wellbeing

1. Definition and History of Total Worker Health

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines TWH as, “Policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness-prevention efforts to advance worker well-being”. Adopting a TWH approach acknowledges that various factors, both related to work and outside of it, influence employees’ health, safety, and wellbeing.

Early thinking related to TWH dates back to NIOSH’s ‘Steps to a Healthier Workplace’ initiative in 2003 – a response to the growing need for a holistic approach to employee health. Interest in enhancing worker wellbeing continued to rise, leading to the availability of resources supporting formal TWH programs starting around 2011. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further highlighted the importance of holistic health, safety, and wellbeing management since organizations were pushed to quickly adapt to remote work setups, manage heightened stress and mental health issues, and implement stringent health protocols to ensure workplace safety.

2. Benefits of a Total Worker Health Approach

Adopting a TWH approach can help organizations realize a variety of health, safety, operational, and fiscal benefits, including:

• Preventing workplace incidents and their associated costs  Eliminating safety hazards in the workplace remains a top priority for TWH programs, with emphasis on engaging employees in identifying and mitigating safety risks.
• Eliminating safety hazards in the workplace remains a top priority for TWH programs, with emphasis on engaging employees in identifying and mitigating safety risks.
• Improving physical and mental health outcomes  TWH programs can mitigate long-term health risks such as cardiovascular disease and depression by promoting stress management, healthy eating, and physical activity. The COVID-19 pandemic brought worker mental health and wellbeing into sharp focus, making TWH a priority for EHS functions.
• TWH programs can mitigate long-term health risks such as cardiovascular disease and depression by promoting stress management, healthy eating, and physical activity. The COVID-19 pandemic brought worker mental health and wellbeing into sharp focus, making TWH a priority for EHS functions.
• Supporting better workforce retention  TWH programs can help organizations retain talent by demonstrating a commitment to worker health and safety.
• TWH programs can help organizations retain talent by demonstrating a commitment to worker health and safety.
• Enhancing productivity  Better health, safety, and wellbeing outcomes realized from a TWH program lead to reduced absenteeism and workers staying beyond their requested hours (presenteeism).
• Better health, safety, and wellbeing outcomes realized from a TWH program lead to reduced absenteeism and workers staying beyond their requested hours (presenteeism).
• Helping organizations meet ESG and sustainability commitments   New regulations and societal shifts are pushing organizations to invest in mental health and wellbeing solutions and adopt other TWH policies. 
• New regulations and societal shifts are pushing organizations to invest in mental health and wellbeing solutions and adopt other TWH policies.

3. Drivers for Total Worker Health Adoption

When looking at EHS investment, TWH is a growing priority among organizations – especially when responsibilities for managing mental health and wellbeing more often fall under the purview of EHS functions. What’s leading to this increased adoption? Drivers include:

• Expansion of ESG-related disclosures linked to TWH
• Flexible working arrangements create added pressure to support the wellbeing of a dynamic workforce
• Increasing workforce turnover calls for new strategies to retain talent
• Governing bodies are increasing legislation related to mental health & wellbeing incidents
• Growing public awareness of worker wellbeing leads to costly reputational risks
• Economic stress impacts workers’ ability to manage factors related to personal wellbeing. Factors such as living conditions and access to adequate healthcare

4. Innovative Solutions for Total Worker Health

Technology plays a vital role in advancing TWH. From training and engagement to real-time monitoring and mental health management, various solutions tackle different TWH priorities. Digital mental health technologies offer particular benefits, including real-time assessments and professional consultations.

Check out the on-demand webinar to learn more about key trends organizations should consider when evaluating software for their TWH program.

5. Occupational Health Software in Total Worker Health

Integrating relevant systems to advance worker wellbeing is a key principle in TWH. There are clear links between Occupational Health (OH) software and the priorities of a TWH approach. It’s why OH software is a powerful tool for organizations looking to tackle a variety of TWH issues.

Verdantix has published a guide highlighting functionality that buyers should seek in OH software. Key capabilities include fit-for-work management, managing medical records securely, medical surveillance programs, injury and illness management, mental health management, and immunization needs. By leveraging these capabilities, organizations can create a safer, healthier, and more productive work environment.

Unlocking the Value of a Total Worker Health Approach

In today’s competitive business environment, gaining a holistic view of factors impacting worker health, safety, and wellbeing is essential. By integrating the insights from this webinar, organizations will discover how an ecosystem of digital tools, strong governance structures, and policies work together to achieve this goal.

Want to watch the full webinar? Check out our on-demand recording of Elevating Employee Wellbeing: Technology’s Role in Total Worker Health

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